When Denny Hamlin was penalized by NASCAR, and his penalty subsequently upheld despite the appeal, a notion began floating around in the sport. Many believed drivers will no longer be truthful about their actions on the field, and it came true less than a month later with the Ryan Preece-Kyle Larson incident.

Despite many insiders and fans having the opinion that Preece intentionally wrecked Larson in Bristol, he claimed it was otherwise in his post-race interview. And who could blame him?

Having said that, the biggest losers in this new norm aren’t the drivers or the insiders—it’s the fans.

NASCAR Spotter urges the need for drivers to be honest after Kyle Larson-Ryan Preece incident

Speaking in a recent episode of the Door Bumper Clear podcast, spotter Brett Griffin called out Stewart-Haas Racing‘s #41 driver for lying about getting loose instead of being truthful about wrecking Kyle Larson.

“I hate when we think our fans are dumb. And that’s exactly what we’re asking them to be here. I hate when we’re watching it on TV and they’re overselling. It’s like, ‘Man, that ain’t what’s happening here.’ Our fans know better than this.

“Our fans know that Preece wrecked Larson on purpose and our fans know Denny was doing what he was doing with Ross on purpose. They don’t like each other.

“So to make them go in line and lie about it, it just drives me mad. Just let them be themselves,” Griffin said.

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Brett Griffin claims NASCAR drivers are scared of cancel culture

Having called out the new norm of undermining fans’ understanding of the sport, Griffin shifted his focus on the demand for more superstars in NASCAR and the core problem which is preventing that.

“When we talk about we need superstars around here,” he said, “Well, how are you gonna get superstars when they’re afraid to tell you the truth, and when they’re afraid to get canceled?

“They’re afraid of cancel culture with their phones, whatever they say on social media, whatever they say on the interviews.”

Griffin claimed drivers are afraid to tell the fans the truth for a very simple reason: “Because they’re gonna get fined points and money.

“What the f**k are we doing?”

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